Automatic shaping attachment



y 15, 1952 H. GRONDAHL ET AL 2,603,258

AUTQMATIC SHAPING ATTACHMENT Filed Feb. 25, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS HENRIK GRON DAHL WILLEM GROEN BY a M ATTORNEYS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS HENRIK GRONDAHL WILLE-M GROEN ATTORNEYS H GRONDAHL ET AL AUTOMATIC SHAPING ATTACHMEN'i July 15, 1952 Flled Feb 25 1948 7 y 15, r n H. GRbNDAHL ETAL 12,603,258

; Filed Feb. 25, 1948 '3 Sheets-Sheet -'5 AUTOMATIC SHAPING ATTACHMENT A Fi G. 3

u m m mven'rons HENRIK. GRONDAHL BY 2 WILL M GROEN 68 i ATTORNEYS Patented July 15, 1952 AUTOMATIC SHAPING ATTACHMENT Henrik Grondahl and Willem Groen, Chicago, Ill.,

assignors to Onsrud Machine Works, cago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Inc, Chi- Application February 25, 1948, Serial No. 10,738

6 Claims. (01. 144454) This invention relates to automatic shaping devices and particularly to an attachment for highspeed vertical spindle routing machines whereby automatic shaping operations may be performed by the, router. Such a device isdisclosed in Patent No; 2,107,578 issued February 8, 1938, to Rudolph Onsrud and the present invention is an improvement thereof. I

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved attachment for performing shaping operations on a routing machine; to provide such a device having dual feed tables operable alternately under positive drive and work clamp control for automatic, substantially continuous production; to provide such a device having dual feed tables and independent work clamps which operate automatically prior to engagement of the work with the cutter; and to provide such a device having dual feed tables that are automatically shifted alternately into and out of operativeposition relative to the cutter and wherein actuation of the automatic work clamps for the respective feed tables is separately controlled by operation of the feed table shifting means.

Other objects of this invention are to provide a shapingattachment for routers having improved fully automatic control of feed table drive and work clamp operation; to provide such a device having dual feed tables and wherein control of the respective feed table drive and work clamp operationis governed by the position of the feed tables relative to the cutter; and to provide such a device wherein feed table position, feed table drive and work clamp operation are governed accurately by a single power actuator which in turn is remotely controlled by the operator.

A specific embodiment of this invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front view, in perspective, showing the general organization of the invention as embodied in a vertical spindle router.

' 'Fig. 2- is a plan view of the improved automatic shaping attachment with the main gear box cover in section toshow the actuating mechanism.

*Fig. 3 is 'an enlarged plan view of the automatic work clamp control means, the gear box cover on which the. same is mounted being partly broken away.

'Fig. 4 is a view of the same as taken on line 4--4 of Fig. 3, and

Fig. '5 is a plan view in section of one of the work clamp control valves shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

In the form shown in the drawings, the improvedshaping attachment is embodied in a single spindle, vertical head, high speed router and referring to Fig. 1',it will be seen thatlthis router comprises a'spindle head I, mounted at the forward end of a-horizontal arm 2, extending from an upright or frame portion ii of a routing machine which also includes a horizontal work table 4 mounted for vertical adjustment in the usual manner on the main router frame. The spindle head includes-a downwardly projecting spindle shaft 5 on thelowerend of which is a chuck which is adapted to hold the shaftof a router bit or cutter 1; and the spindleshaft 5 11s driven by a suitable power means, not shown housed within the body of the routingmachine frame H The improved attachment is designed to be mounted on top of thework table 4 and comprises a stationary base member-8, arranged to support a shiftable carrier or sub-base 9, which in turn carries the automatic shaping mechanism, work clamps, driving means and controls. The base member 8 is secured on the work table 4 by means of suitable dowels, not shown, which fit into suitable apertures provided in the table 4.

As shown, the carrying member or sub base 9 is pivotally connected at its rear end to the main base member 8 asshown at ID .in Fig. 2 and is arranged to-beoscillated laterally across the top of the'main base between a pair of adjustable limit stops each ofwhich comprisesan adjustable screw 1 l threaded through a stop block l2 welded onto the upper surface of the main base 8". Each screw" II is provided with a hand knob l3 and a. lock nut 14 is threaded on the screw to bear against the block l2 and lock the screw in'whatever position it might be set.

The sub-base 3 carries a pair of rotatable feed tablesiS arranged one on each side of the fore and aft horizontal center line of the sub-basell so that upon shifting of the sub-base laterally, one way or the other, work carried by the'feed tables i5 may be brought into engagement-with the router I. The feed tables I5 are also spaced apart laterally so that when thework on one table is in engagementdwith the router 1, the other feed table will be at an adequatev distance from the cutter to permit the work being changed safely by the operator;

In the form shown, the work holding clamps l6 are supported on fixed vertical posts l1, mounted on the sub-base 8 and disposed laterally and to the rear of the respective feed table axes; Y

matically actuated arm extending outwardly over the respective feed table |5 and having a clamping head l8 vertically aligned with the feed table axis. The motors or air cylinders l9 for actuatinr the clamps I5 are dis-osed at the rear end of the respective clamps and air under pressure is supplied to the motors I9 by means of hose connections and 20.|.as will belaterdescribed. Pneumaticclamps of this tvpe'are well known in this art and their construction and operation will be readily understood by those s"'illed in the art.

The oscillating carrier irember or sub-basetl is actuated, to move the feed tables. lateraillyioward and away from the rotatingv cutter 1, by means of an air operated pistenprhoweredevice 2| which is mounted on the main b'aseLa-rid which operates through a connection to the subbase 9 contained within a gear. box 22. Conteolmeans through which operation of the work clamps I6 is regulated isrmounted on top of the gear box 22 and the hose connections 20 and 201i "forsupplyingaair 'ito the respective clamp motors "l9, 'lead'to'this" control means which is iridicatedgenerallyin' Fig. 1 by the numeral 23.

Powerfor drivingthefeedtables 5 is supplied by'anielectric motor:24'which-'has a pulley and belt connection with the driving meanscontained in the gear box 22, as -will-be later more fully described.

--Also; as shown'in-Figpha fixed position pattern 'tollower or "guide 25,which comprises a rollerpivotally'mounted'on an arm 26, is pro- :vided" tocontrol-"the relation of the cutter and the-work The roller arm -26-exten'ds'inwardly Iroma bracket I'I- and holds'the roller so that ibis axially aligned with the cutter 1, the bracket 21 Ebeing a relatively heavy rigid member mounted fast at the 'forward edge 'o'f the main base-'8 and stationary relative to the shiftable sub-base8. 1 to-FigFZJit willbe seen that the 'p 1 incler ordevice Z'Lwhich causes lateral shifting oi the' sub base 9 tobring the feed tables 5 altern ately into operative position, also serves to simultaneously 'shi-f-t the 'feed table drive mechanism irom the inoperative table "to .the operative feed-table.

As"before-=mentioned, power for the feed table driveis obtained from-anelectric motor 24 which is mounted on the;sub base 9 and which, through a motor-pulley' 28,"abelt 29 and a shaftpulley 30, drives the main power shaft 3 I. The power shaft ll'is suitably supported in bearings'32' and 33 .and is Econstantly in rotation so long 'as the electric motor 24'is being driven. Transmission of 'power from the'sha'ft 3l to the respective feed tables I5 is obtained through a' friction clutch mechanism' 34,-which is driven' bytheshaft 3| and which-'isarrange'd to'selectively drive gears 35 and SBca-rried by the :shaft 3|. The gears'35 and '36 are arrangedto be freely'rotatable on the shaft '3l, except :when they rare engaged by the clutch.

"The friction clutch 34,'illustrated herein, .is a' double-"actingmulti discclutch, of well-known constructionghaving=acentralcol1ar in which a shifting-fork may be engaged and which is operable axially of the drive'shaft '3| 'to cause driving engagement with the-gears 35 and 36.

'.As shown :in .Fig. 2, ..the .driving gear 35. is meshed. with'a driven :gear;3| which is rfast'on a shaft 3! :disposed paraliel with the -main drive shaft (3| and extendinginto a gear casing .39o-n which the right-hand xfeed table |5 is mounted. Inside the .gear casing 39 the shaft :38 carries a worm 40, indicated in dotted outline, "which substantially identical with the feed table drive just described, except that the power from the .mainshaft'3lis taken from the driving gear 38 directly connected to a driven gear 43 which in :turn drives 'asuitable worm and gear arrangerrentcontziined .in the left-hand gear housing '44 on'wliich thele'ft-hand table is mounted.

.ZASShOWIl'LiZI Fig-.2, the sub-base or carrier 9 is laterally shiftable across the upper surface of the main base 8 and relative to the cutter 1. The sub-base or carrier 9 is connected to the main base8 by-the pivot lil and'issupportedon a pair of rollers'45 disposed'at opposite sides or the subbase and 'carried in suitable roller support brackets 45-whichare bolted'onto the sub-base and which-extend through suitable aperturesmot shown, in the sub-base so that the rollers may bear on the top surface of the main base 8.

The power cylinderzl is-pivotally mounted, at its outward end, on the main'base 8 by means of a vertical pivot connection 4l'andis 'connected'to the shiftable sub-base-S by means of a pistonro'd 48 projecting from the inner end'of the power cylinder 2| and attached to one arm of a lost motion means or limited movement bell crank 49 by means of'a pivot connection'SO, the bell crank 49 being pivotally connected to the sub -base 9 by a suitable pivot pin or'stub-shaft 5| which is mounted fast on the sub-baseand'projects upwardly'therefrom inside the gear housing22.

The other end of the piston rod 48 is directly connected to a "double-acting piston 52 in the power-cylinder 2|, which piston is actuated by compressed air supplie'd through" the air tubes 53 and 54. Thus upon'actuation of the piston 52 in either direction, the piston rod 48 causes the subbase- 9 to shift in the same direction through'the connection with the bell crank 49 and its pivot connection 5| onthe sub-base.

-A second arm 55 on the'b'ell crank 49 carries a fork arrangement "56 having sliding connection with the clutch mechanism 34, whereby a simultaneous shift in the transmission of power, to the appropriate gear 'train'for the feed'tables |5,"is had whenever a shifting movement is'imparted through the bell crank to the sub-base *9. Thus. when the-sub-base is shifted'from one side to the other by the power cylinder 2|, the shifting force first acts to turn'the bell crank and operate the clutch mechanism so that driving engagement of the feed table drive gears with the'main drive shaft 3| is likewise shifted to operate the feed table moving toward thecutter.

It'will now be'seen that upon actuation of the piston 52 in the power cylinder 2|,the first'eflect will beto shift the feed table driving mechanism through the lost'motion means or hell crank 49 and thatthereaftera .shifting'of the sub-base 3 will occur. .Therefore, to relieve the clutch mechanism 34 of the turning moment or load imparted tothebell crank 49 as the power force is being transmitted through the pivot post 5| to the sub-base 9, the bell crank is provided with a third arm 5'! arranged to provide limit stops for the bell crank'movement.

In the form shown, the bell .crankarm 51.1:

constructed with-a vertical-opening 58 into which a stoppost 59, fixed to the sub-based projects and adjustabl limit stop members comprising a pair of stop screws 60 are threaded through opposite" end walls of the opening 58 so as to-be v e'ngageablewith the fixed post 59 to limit the operation as the sub-base is shifted from side to side by the power cylinder 2! and only suchturning' novement of the be'llcr'ankas will efiect actua'tion' of the clutch mechanism 34 is necessary. Therefore, the stop screws 68 are adjustable so that the precisely necessary movement of the bell crank may be set according to the clutch requirements. i Upon shifting of the sub-base *9 tobringthe feed tables -I5"alterna'tely'into Operative relation with the cutter '5, it is also desired that the pneumatic clamps i5 be simultaneouslyactuated in properly timed relation so that the work will be securely clamped to the feed table that is being moved into operative position well in advance of the'time when actual engagement of the work with the cutters occurs. This is accomplished by governing the clamp operation from control means actuated by the bell crank 49.

This control means, indicated generally by'the numeral 23 in Fig. l,is shown in detail in Figs. 3 to 5 inclusive and comprises a'pair of balanced air'valves 5| and EZ connected in tandem by acommon link 63 for simultaneous operation. The'sevalves, however, are arranged in opposed relation so that one opens as the other closes and each is connected to control a respective pneumatic clamp'by means of the air hoses 20 and 26.]. As shown in Fig.3; the air supply to the valves 6! and 52 is common to both and comes from a pressure source, not shown, through a connection (it to a manifold 65 connected to the inlet side of each valve. 7 The outlets 66 and 61 of the respective valves are connected to the flexible hoses 2D and 213.! respectively.

' The two air valves are of the same construction and they are merely positioned'with their inlets and outlets facing in like directions and with their operating stems extending toward each other. Thus, referring to Fig. 5, wherein details of the valve 6| are shown, it will be seen that the valve body is a T -shaped member having opposed inlet and outlet openings and having a centrally disposed balanced valve member 68 operating along the axis of the central leg in a-sleevefifl which has suitable inlet-and outlet ports 10 and H spaced apart axially. The valve 68 has a stem 12 which is attached to a connector member I3 arranged for axial movement within a connector sleeve 14 and the parts are secured in the valve assembly by a bonnet l5 threaded onto the valve body.

The valve $8 is thus arranged to open and close" communication between the ports iii and ll by a reciprocatingmovement-with the inner end of the valve-disposed between the ports when communication is closed. This leaves'the ports i in communication-with a bleed port '15 whenever the v'alveBB is'in its outer or closed position, whereby a pressure in'the supply side to the clamp motor may berelieved. When the valve is in its open position its inner end moves beyond the ports H and closes oiT 'the'bleed outlet while airis flowing between the ports 1i) and TI. As shown in Fig. 5,

the outer 'end'ofthe connector 73 is bifurcated- 6 to receive one side of the link scene is fastened to the linkby a pin H.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the-valves controllingflow of air pressure to the clamp motors 19 are" operated simultaneously as the clutch mechanism 34 is operated by the bell crank arm- 55 to shift the drive from one feed table [5 to the other and such operation of the valves is alsoobtained from'the same bell crank arm. This is'accomplished by meansfof anoperating pin le-which extendsup wardly from the bellcrank arm 55, through the drive housing ZLan'd-into an opening 19in the links} which connects the two valve connector members 13. Thus, as the bell-crank is actuated angul'arly to shift the drive from one feed. table to the other the operating pin 18 is shifted likewise and 'the'clamp control valves are simultane-- ously and immediately operated to actuate one clamp motor and cause release of the other clamp motor.

The location of the operating pin18 on the bell crank arm 55 is determined'by the operating stroke of the clamp motor control valves, which is preferably less than the operating stroke or movement of the clutch mechanismv 34,. so-that full operation of the valves will occur before full engagement of the clutch 3.4. The location" of theoperating'pin thus determines the location. of

the valve assembly on the gearbox cover 22 since the vertical plane containingthe valve axes should also contain the axis of the pin when the,

crank arm is in the. mid-position of. its stroke. The opening 19 in the valve connecting link 63 is slightly elongated, transverse its direction of movement, toaccommodate thearcuatepath of the pin asthe crank'arm 55 swings from side to side.

In the arrangement showntthe operating pin opening 88 in the drive housing cover 22- is closed by a'sliding plate 8! carried by the pin'l8 in order vto prevent'leakage 'of'lubricant and the plate 31..

is held tightly against the cover by means of; a spring 82 bearing link 63. i

In operation the improved shaping attachment is mounted horizontally on the table 4 of a vertical 'spindlerouter and the main base 8 is secured to,

the table '4, by suitable means, not shown, in such a position that the pattern follower or guide roller.

25 is directly aligned with the router spindle axis.

The power cylinder 2! is then connected to a suitable res erv'oir of compressed airv through a power cylinder control valve, not shown, which directs the air through the air hoses 53 and 54 alternately": to actuate the piston 52. Air from the samereser power source, not shown, inthe spindle head"-l.1. Normally the sub-base 9 will be'swung to one side of the main base 8, to the=left as'sho wnin Fig. '2, where 'it' will be engaged'by the respective limit stop screw Hand the feed. table I5 of the opposite side will beinoperative position.- The" operatorthenmounts the desired pattern on the: inoperative feedtable, farthest from the cutter,-

and places the blank to. be shaped on top of the pattern. -Then by operation of the powercy'linder.

control valve the piston 52 is actuatedto swing sub-base 9 to the opposite side causingthe loaded feed table to be moved toward the'cutter l.

Immediately that the piston52 'i'sactuated to swing the sub-base, the bell crankeexiscaused to;

between thehplate" and the 7 p vot. "u t l; ts -.r sh and: i it. s p screw 60 engages the fixed post 59. movement c1,- the crank, causes immediate shifting of the feed table drive, iromthe right hand table to the left hand table, through operation of the clutch mechanism. 34, and --simultaneously actuates the clamp control valves to actuate the left hand clampand begin release of the right hand clamp.

The clamping. operation ofeach clamp is arranged to be slightly in advance of full engagement of the clutch mechanism with the respective driving gear 35--36,3through an excess in the ;-valve stroke so that the workis securely clamped ;in place onthejieed table before it beginspto revolve and, because the clutch .isoperated as. the sub-base first, begins, to swina, t feed'table :is iniull rotation before the cutter engages the work.

Because the shifting of the sub-be et is by air pressure there is a resiliency to its movement which permits the cutter to work its waygradually into the blank to be shaped untilthe iollower roller 25 engages the pattern after which the roller 25, by acting on the pattern periphery, determines the depth of the cut by causing shiftingrof the sub-base to move the operating feed table toward or away from the cutter according to the pattern profile. The resilient force of the air pressure in the power cylinder 2| keeps urging the feed table into the cutter and thus permits.

the roller 25 to accurately follow the pattern.

While the left hand feed table rotates to feed the work to the cutter, the operator loads the right hand table which is swung clear. Then, as soon as the shaping cut is completed on the left hand feed table, the operator operates the power cylinder control valve and the sub-base is caused to swing to the left to bring the right hand feed table work and pattern into engagement with the cutter and follower. The shifting of the feed table drive from left table to right, table is immediate, as is the action of the right table clamp to hold the work. Also, the rotation of the left table stops as the table moves outwardly away from the cutter. The work clamp of the inoperative table, however, is slower in its releasing action due to the fact that its release is by a ibleed-ofi of the actuating air through the respective control valve 6| or 62. This permits the finished work to be swung clear and a complete stopping of table rotation before full release of the clamp occurs. The speed of clamp release canberegulated by controlling the rate of bleedator to physically retard the swinging movement of the sub-base 9 under the influence or the power cylinder 2| and for this purpose handles 83 are provided at each side ofv the sub-base where; the

operator can hold onto the sub-base as it moves from side to side. Ordinarily the operating line air pressure is from 90 to 100 lbs. per square inch.

The main advantages of this invention reside in the facility for converting a router to an automatic shaper for faster and more accurate shaping operations on. small parts made of material v operator is free to concentrate .solely on the 0131- with, cutting characteristics similar to wood; and. in the arrangement of the device whereby high.

speed shaping operations can be performed with practically continuous production on alternately operative feed tables which, together with the work, are under automatic and accurate control.

at all times that the deviceis in operation.

Further advantages are to be found in the automatic control arrangement for the feed table drive and the work holding clamps whereby the ation of loading and unloading teed tables. And still ,further advantages are to be round in the control arrangement whereby the shift of feed,

table drive and the, operation of the work clamps occurs at the beginning of the movement or the shiftable feedtable carrier to bring a blank into engagement with the cutter; and in the arrangement oi the work clamp control whereby the clamp is actuated to secure the blank prior to full engagement of the feed table drive;

Although but one embodiment of this invention is herein shown and described, it will be understoodthat numerous details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.

We claim:

1. A device of the class described comprising a laterally shiftable carrier having a pair of spaced rotatable feed tables and means for drivingsaid feed tables, a double acting pneumatic cylinder and piston connected to said carrier and adapted to shift said carrier from side to side relative to a medially positioned rotary cutter and thereby move said feed tables alternately into operative position with the cutter, means to direct compressed air to each side of said cylinder selectively, an automatic work clamp disposed above each feed table and supported from said carrier, pneumatic motor means for operating each work clamp, a pneumatic pressure supply connection for each of said motor means, control means for directing pressure through said supply connections alternately, and means connecting said control means with said piston for operation orsaid control means by reciprocal movement of saidpiston and according to the direction or movement of said carrier, the connection 01 said piston with said carrier including lost motion means for limited movement of the piston relative to the carrier whereby said control means is operated prior to the shifting movement of, said carrier.

.2. A device of the class described comprising 'a. laterally shiftable carrier having a pair oi spaced rotatable feed tables, means for shifting said carrier alternately from side to side relative to a medially positioned rotating cutter, means for operating said carrier shifting means, a power actuated work clamp disposed above each teed table, drive means on said carrier for driving said feed tables and including shiftable clutch means for connecting said drive means with said tables alternately, a clutch-shifting lever pivoted on said carrier and connected with said carrier shitting means for angular operation thereby according to the direction of movement of said carrier, clamping control means on said carrier having a power connection with each of said clamps and operable between two positions for energizing said clamps alternately, and means on said clutch-shifting lever and connected with said control means for operating said control means in predetermined relation with the operation oi said clutch.

3. A device of the class described comprising a laterally shiftable carrier having a pair of spaced rotatable feed tables and means for driving said feed tables, power means having a driving connection with said carrier for shifting said carrier alternately from side to side relative to a mediallyv positioned rotating cutter, means for operating said power means intermittently, an automatic work clamp disposed above each feed table, an individual operating means for each of said work clamps, control means having power supply'connection with the respective clamp oper ating means and operable between two positions to actuate the same alternately, said control means being mounted on said carrier adjacent said driving connection, and said driving connection including a shiftable member movable in response to force applied thereto by said power means and engaged with said control means for operating said control means according to the direction of movement of said carrier.

4. A device of the class described comprising a laterally shiftable carrier having a pair of spaced rotatable feed tables and means for driving said feed tables, power means connected to said carrier for shifting said carrier alternately from side to side relative to a medially positioned rotating cutter, means for operating said power means, an automatic work clamp disposed above each feed table, an individual operating means for each of said work clamps, control means having individual power supply connection with each of said clamp operating means and operable between two I positions to actuate the same alternately, said control means being mounted on said carrier and movable therewith, and shiftable means having a lost motion connection with said carrier and connected to and actuated by said power means and having connection with said control means for operating said control means according to the direction of movement of the carrier and immediately prior to movement of the carrier.

5. A device of the class described comprising a laterally shiftable carrier having a pair of spaced rotatable feed tables and means for driving said feed tables, power means connected to said carrier for shifting said carrier alternately from side to side relative to a medially positioned rotating cutter, means for operating said power means, an individual work clamp disposed above each feed table, an individual operating means for each of said work clamps, oppositely operating dual control means each having a power supply connection with a respective clamp operating means and operable to energize and de-energize the same, a shiftable member connected to said power means and actuated thereby and having operating connection with both of said control means for actuating said control means simultaneously in respectively opposite directions to operate one clamp and release the other according to the direction of movement of said carrier, and means for retarding the releasing action 01' each of said clamps.

6. A device of the class described comprising a base, a laterally shiftable carrier on said base having a pair of spaced feed tables and drive means operatively connected with said feed tables to rotate the same, said drive means including a double acting clutch for connecting said feed tables with said drive means selectively, a rigid pivot mounted fast on said carrier, a bell crank rotatively mounted on said pivot and having one arm operatively connected to said clutch, reciprocable operating means on said base connected to a second arm of said bell crank for turning said bell crank to operate said clutch and then shift said carrier from oneside tothe other to move the driven feed table into operative position with a medially positioned rotating cutter, stop means rigidly mounted on said carrier for limiting the rotation of said bell crank in either direction by engagement with an arm thereof, a work clamp mounted on said carrier and disposed above each feed table, operating means for each work clamp, and work clamp control means having a shift able power switching member operatively connected with said bell crank and having power connection with each of said clamp operating means, said switchmember being movable between two positions for directing power from said,

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 497,738 Wood May 16, 1893 1,926,779 Law Sept. 12, 1933 2,107,578 Onsrud Feb. 8, 1938 2,155,434 Marsh Apr. 25, 1939 2,386,341 Pearne Oct. 9. 1945 

